a hotspot for entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector

Why Zeeland?

Three-quarters of Zeeland’s soil is used for food production. Many prominent local or international companies have already found their way to Zeeland. Not only for its excellent production possibilities, but also for the many opportunities Zeeland offers for the processing, packaging, storage, transhipment and transport of agri-food products.

In Zeeland, we are pushing hard for the protein transition and the province is seeing substantial developments in robotisation in the sector. Zeeland offers many advantages in this regard, particularly for producing insect-based proteins, plant-based meat substitutes and land-based aquaculture.

Zeeland is a very suitable location for a variety of players in the agri-food sector thanks to its attractive maritime climate.

With an annual average of 1,650 hours of sunshine, Zeeland is the sunniest area in the Netherlands. Fresh clean water is always nearby, for example, for fish farming on land or as cooling water for industries.

Zeeland is very strategically located between two ports of global importance: Rotterdam and Antwerp. And one of Europe’s largest ports is actually located in Zeeland: North Sea Port, which includes the ports of Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Ghent and is also known as the gateway to Europe. Congestion-free connections by water, road and rail provide access to the hinterland and the North Sea.

Zeeland’s agri-food cluster is large and diverse, comprising significant players in the producing and processing industry and pioneers in aquaculture and the development of sustainable proteins. North Sea Port has its own Food Port with specialised facilities and service providers.

Developments in Zeeland’s agrifood sector

In Zeeland, we are pushing hard for the protein transition and the province is seeing substantial developments in robotisation in the sector.

Success stories

Read why these companies chose Zeeland and how we helped them

Internationalise Agrifood

Enough: Revolutionizing Protein Production with Mycoprotein in Sas van Gent

Since 2022, the Scottish company Enough makes mycoprotein in Zeeland. They opened the first mycoprotein fabric of Europe, in Sas van Gent. The fabric produces proteins from thus via fungi. Impuls Zeeland and the NFIA helped finding a location in Zeeland and with the permit procedures.

Agrifood investeren Internationaliseren

For Kingfish Zeeland the choice for Zeeland was easy

Kingfish Zeeland didn’t have to think twice about where they wanted to produce and export their sustainably farmed fish. At the base of the Zeeland Bridge, the company benefits from a good location, strong aquaculture sector, strategic location and financing for its innovations.

Agrifood Invest Internationalise

Zeewaar: Pioneering Seaweed Farming in Zeeland

In 2013, Zeewaar established the Netherlands’ first seaweed farm in Kamperland, Zeeland, and since then they have been working as seaweed pioneers to further develop this innovative field. We assisted the company in starting up, with network contacts and funding.

Internationaliseren investeren

Bio Base Pack Europe received support in establishing and financing the company

Innovative Biobase Pack Europe and its parent company HemCell® have received assistance from Impuls Zeeland in establishing and financing the company in Zeeland.

How we can help you

Interested in establishing or expanding your agrifood business in Zeeland?

We can guide you through the process. From finding a location to financing opportunities and matchmaking.

Legal and fiscal matters

Whether you want to establish or expand your (head) office, production location, R&D, logistics operations or start-up in Zeeland, it is important to be well-advised on which legal form is best for you.

Subsidies and incentives

Subsidies and incentives can contribute significantly to the financing of your business in Zeeland. In addition to the favourable corporate tax in the Netherlands, both the regional and national government and Europe offer many reliable incentives from which you can benefit.

Selection of locations

Let us help you find the ideal location that is perfectly suitable for your business activities and matches your vision for the future.

Matchmaking

A good business network is of vital importance for entrepreneurs. When you enter a new market, it is not always easy to find your way to the right contacts. We can help.

Permit procedures

As an entrepreneur, you will naturally want to get started quickly. To this end, it is important that you apply for the correct permits and that you submit these correctly and as completely as possible. The help of an expert can make the permit process much easier.

Trade missions

We offer you the opportunity to participate in trade missions. During these trips, you will meet potential partners and/or customers and build your own network in the region you want to do business in.

Contact us

We are here to help

Talk to our experts. We work independently and free of charge.

Rogier van der Torren

Foreign Direct Investments Manager